IRELAND MAY RESUME ARMS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16869, 26 October 1925, Page 9

IRELAND MAY RESUME ARMS.

BITTER CONFLICT IS EXPECTED ON BOUNDARY COMMISSION’S REPORT. BOTH SIDES DRILLING. LONDON, Sept. 17.—The British and Irish Free Stale Ministers cannot much longer keep the boundary question out of the political arena. Just back from a visit to Ulster and the Free State, a correspondent realises how easily old passions may be awakened by the report of the Irish Border Commission, which is now awaited. “OVER OUR DEAD.” “Only over our dead bodies shall one foot of our territory be surrendered,” is still the fighting cry of Ulster, and 40,000 special guards are to be found under full drill in Northern Ireland. Across the boundary are Free State troops, equally on tiic alert, and Mr Lloyd George’s alleged promises of transferred territory at the time of the treaty are in every Free. Slater’s mind. The’Commission, which lias a South African judge for its independent chairman, jealously guards its intended recommendations, hut the probabilities are that Northern Ireland will be asked to make large surrenders of territory in the south, including the commercially important town of Ncwry, and sdbstan tial slices of Counties Down, Armagh, and Fermanagh. Belfast’s water reservoir lies least of the mountains of Mourne, in the Nationalist part of •County Down. It, must remain with Belfast, hence the , probable allocation to Southern Ireland of the market area of Neivry; also Newcastle and Armagh, .while the market area of Castlowelliin remains l in Northern Ireland, despite jts predominantly Nationalist population. As regards the Coinhiission is expected to leave Enniskillen in Northern Ireland despite its Nationalist majority; also North-west Fermanagh, but giving the'.Free State that part of, the county which lies lielow Lough Erne. Northern Ireland, in partial compensation, would gain a small tract in t lie northern angle of County Mongghan,, which contains an Orange majority, also the peninsula of Inishowen, while retaining Deny City and its market area to Lqugh Swilly.

LEADERS ARE NERVOUS. Whatever, the Commission de-.idcs. both parties will bitterly, criticise it. the Ulstermen because of the territory they lose; the Free Staters because of Nationalist populations which they do not gain, despite their insistent and solidly organised demand : for ti ansieiv It is a disappointment to. ninny hefe that the Ulster Government .so far lias neglected the suggestion u! .Premier Oraig’s brother. Captain C. C. Craig, British M.P., for a quiet preliminary personal conference between Craig and Cosgravo. Both nre, probably nervous of their die-hards. j